Buddhism in Mongolia

The “Buddhism in Mongolia” programme is aimed at rebuilding Buddhist tradition. Established in 1992, the Foundation has worked closely with Buddhist educational institutes, national universities and the Mongolian government’s Department of Education to help reestablish their Buddhist traditions after some 70 years of Soviet rule.

The Foundation was able to support a number of projects including the translation and publication of Buddhist books in their own language, renovation of their monasteries and libraries, introducing, for the first time university Buddhist education for women, and giving young Mongolians necessary training in Buddhism so that they become their own lamas and teachers in the future.

The Foundation was able to help with the publication of a 3-volumn Buddhist textbook known as “Wisdom Textbooks” in Mongolian language for the secondary schools in 2008. (See the Newsletter issue 57). The books consist of information on Mongolian traditional ethics, understanding mind for healthy living and the foundation of Buddhist wisdom. They were acclaimed as “Golden Books”. In July 2009 the founding trustee of Tibet Foundation, Phuntsog Wangyal was awarded the Mongolian Friendship Medal by the Mongolian President for the Foundation’s significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Kingdom to restore the Mongolian traditional culture and spiritual heritage.

In 2011 the Foundation published another 2-volumn book, known as “Mongolian Buddhist Arts” in 2011. This is a catalogue of Buddhist arts preserved in five major national museums in Mongolia. Mongolian people and the government expressed their appreciation and acclaimed them as historical achievements.

Our support for Buddhist education and training of young students of Mongolian origin from Russia and Mongolia in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India continues. Over the past 17 years after completing their studies many of them have returned to Mongolia. Today they are actively involved in managing Buddhist centres and promoting the religion in their own country.